The chief executive officer (CEO) of the NEPAD Agency, Dr
Ibrahim Mayaki, has declared that “The best way to believe in the future for
Africa, is to believe in our innovations and in our innovators,” reports
ITRealms.
Mayaki in a keynote address at an event held to showcase
African innovations as part of the commemorations for Africa Day, said that this
year the NEPAD Agency also celebrated the innovations that entrepreneurs on the
continent are developing, under the African Union theme for 2017, Harnessing
the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth.
Additionally, Dr Mayaki said it’s a time for reflection,
celebrating the progress made by Africans, while also reflecting on the common
challenges and solutions the continent needs in a global environment.
Africa has the youngest population in the world, and it is
this population that will supply the much needed human capital and innovations
in the years to come, even as the continent becomes more industrialised. Even
as the continent faces the challenges of integration and industrialisation,
many are the innovations that young enterprising Africans are developing to redress
development challenges.
The exhibition by entrepreneurs at the event in Pretoria,
made the case for the myriad of innovations which exist on the continent and
need to be up-scaled in providing concrete solutions to some of Africa’s
challenges. The young entrepreneurs’ innovations provide solutions in the areas
of bioeconomy (including agro-processing and health), climate change adaptive
innovations and smart industries (ICTs and advanced manufacturing), to name but
a few.
Participants at the event heard from entrepreneurs who
showcased innovations from injectable bone graft substitute, to devices that
help deaf communities and various other innovations in health, medical, food,
beauty, pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries.
“We need innovations to trigger technological developments
and other advancements in the framework of Agenda 2063, Africa’s vision for
transformation,” Dr Mayaki said.
He
added that, “The skills of entrepreneurs need to be shaped in such a way that
as they grow, African economies can also grow, with the drive from the continent’s
own innovative solutions.”
Dr Mayaki also stated that the commemoration of Africa Day
with The Innovation Hub marks the first step towards strengthening
collaboration with the NEPAD Agency.
Also speaking, General Manager for Enterprise Development at
The Innovation Hub in Pretoria, South Africa, Ms Teresiah Simelane, said there
is no better way to celebrate Africa Day than through innovations.
Chuks Egbune/GEE
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Pix: Entrepreneur showcasing an eco-friendly energy saving stove
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